Germans excited about Zambian agri sector

1 Mar 2016

"Made in Germany" will participate in the annual Agritech Expo in Chisamba in April. 14 German providers of agri-machinery and livestock equipment will be part of the German pavilion.

Sanna Pudas via Wikimedia Commons

Head of communication at DLG International GmbH, Martin Botzian, says: “From the beginning of Agritech, two years ago, we have been part of this very well organised show in Zambia. Constantly we are growing our participation from year to year. And this year we successfully convinced the German Ministry of Agriculture to launch an official German pavilion.”

Agri sector exciting for Germans

According to Botzian, the agricultural sector in Zambia is exciting for German companies that sell agri-machinery and livestock equipment because “the country has a stable policy environment, which means the government supports the agricultural sector and commercial farming. Farmers are willing to invest. Zambia is a good place to grow crops and there is enough fresh water for irrigation.”

He adds: “cattle also provide beef and dairy products for the population. Processing the raw crops has huge potential. The commercial farming in Zambia will generate enough surplus food to export to Zambia’s neighbours. By starting to commercialise the agricultural land you increase food security, prevent mass migration out of the country into the city and create businesses that add value at a local level to reduce poverty.”

The “Made in Germany” products that will be on display on the German pavilion at Agritech Expo includes animal housing installations, animal identification (ear tags), silos, consultation, planning and building of dairy facilities, dung removal systems, cattle breeding and marketing, crop protection, mixers and pumps, silage bags, slat flooring, poultry equipment, modern farming in Zambia, agricultural machinery such as feed mixers, maize choppers, agricultural films and nets as well as milking equipment.

The upcoming Agritech Expo, which is expected to welcome some 15,000 farming professionals, from emerging and small holder to commercial farmers, and agri-experts, takes place at the GART Research Centre in Chisamba from 14-16 April. Chisamba is regarded as an important farming hub in Zambia.